1992 BMW E30 318i Convertible.

[mat101]

Hey. New on this site and just looking for some advice. I've been looking to buy a modern classic car for a while and seemed to have settled on a 1992 E30 318i convertible. As my knowledge is very limited and I am purely attracted to this car by the way it looks, my question is, is this the sort of vehicle that can be used daily, as my wife would be using this car for work and would be replacing a very boring but reliable vw passat! The bmw seems to have been very well looked after and the mileage is currently at 93k!! (Which concerned me a bit).
I'm also hoping with the right amount of tlc this car won't depreciate!!
Any advice on this would be greatly a apreciated.
Cheers.
Matt.

[singlezero]

Hi Matt,
welcome to the zone!
I have the same car. You have to be realistic in that you're buying a 23 year old car and it will probably have some rust, leaks and the odd rattle. Should you wish to start throwing money at it and make it mint, then that can soon mount up to multiples of the original cost. If you're buying a car that's already had an owner address all of that (usually on the more expensive side of things), then as long as you maintain and service it regularly, they can be great cars to drive every day. 93k wouldn't bother me on a well maintaned engine, just keep it serviced regularly (5,000 miles or so).
All E30 convertibles in excellent condition command decent money and are likely to appreciate, though 325i's and the sports versions (M3 & Motorsports) lead the way.
I ended up spending a small fortune on mine to make it pretty much like it was in the early 90's and am very glad I did.

Good luck

Mike

[mat101]

Thanks for fast response.
This is the write up of the car I'm looking at. It's seems to have been looked after and after viewing this weekend I should have an even better idea.
I'm happy to spend money and time on it but only really to keep it going and on the road and looking good. Not really interested into getting it back to concourse condition.


NEON BLUE METALLIC
REFURBISHED HALF-LEATHER SEATING WITH BLUE LEATHER PIPING
MATCHING BLUE HOOD
CENTRAL LOCKING
ELECTRIC WINDOWS
ELECTRIC MIRRORS
M SPORT LEATHER STEERING WHEEL
M SPORT GEAR KNOB
2 ORIGINAL KEYS
ALPINE STEREO/CD PLAYER
POWER STEERING
15" BBS MUHLE ALLOY WHEELS
93,500 MILES
EXCELLENT SERVICE HISTORY
THREE OWNERS FROM NEW
STUNNING CONDITION THROUGHOUT

This lovely summer classic is up for sale. I'm selling my 1992 318i convertible which is one of the quite rare Design Editions in 'neon blue’, (only 200 made) I have owned this car for approximately 4 years during which time I have had some extensive work done including, new radiator, replaced cam belt, front shock absorbers, new brake discs and pads all round. I also replaced the heater matrix and valve, and replaced the battery. Last summer I had the interior half-leathered, which beautifully accentuates the blue leather piping; I also had leather cushions custom made for the front seats to prevent wear, and a cover for the back seat to prevent sun fade. The paint work is original and looks like new.

The car has done just under 93K miles, and it drives like new. MOT'd until January 2016; it is serviced regularly and had a full service in January 2015, and has covered just over 1000 miles since.

This beautifully presented classic which is becoming increasingly rare and can only increase in value, is ready for the summer; it has a manual roof (no electric motor to break down), which I replaced about 4 years ago and is in great condition. Specification also includes M tech leather steering wheel, electric windows and colour coded electric mirrors, 15”a BBS wheels in lovely condition (all tyres were replaced last year), and CD radio with electric aerial.

Thanks again.
Matt.

[singlezero]

The blue Design editions are pretty cars.
The spec sounds ok, but I prefer electric hoods to stay electric and interiors to stay original, but I doubt either of those things would bother you.
You really should get someone local to you who knows about E30's to assist you if you want to buy a ready to run daily driver. It's worth paying for someone's time up front as they may not be able to guarantee a perfect car, but they should certainly steer you away from a total pig.

[daimlerman]

Hood could well have been manual from new,but should be black canvas to be correct.

Seats should have silver cloth bolsters to be correct.

M-tec wheel and gearknob tell us that the car was manual from new.

Depends on how fussy you are for the correct spec,but there's little point in paying top price for non-standard spec.

There again,my Neon Green cabbie has a proper(6 cylinder) engine and easy to clean style 10 wheels!

[daboy3000]

I think i recognise the info you posted, is that the one up for around £5k and has a black grill? If so i think its had a few custom parts added. I also have just bought a 1.8 cabby. I could happily use it every day in the summer but no way in the winter, i can image it steaming up and being freezing cold. But then mine needs a lot of work. Good luck

[ianev]

I think the "design" edition is (IMO), the least desirable.

Mileage of 93k is fine but its history and condition (inc roof), are more important.

There are better value ones around that haven't got nasty aftermarket bits on them and there have been plenty on the market this year. Wait for the right one to come along. A new roof is £550 fitted if you live in the south.

[mat101]

I'm giving this car the slip. I've found one with less miles slightly more expensive but has original seats and roof. My wife liked the blue colour of the other one but she'll get used to the black!!

[daimlerman]

I'm giving this car the slip. I've found one with less miles slightly more expensive but has original seats and roof. My wife liked the blue colour of the other one but she'll get used to the black!!

Every time the black one fails,you are going to get;

'This would'nt have happened if you had bought me the blue one...'!

[RetroAde]

Any reason you're looking at manual 318i's? When the roof is down it's so much nicer listening to a six cylinder soundtrack, plus if you sell it a 325 will always be more desirable. I also think these cars are cruisers and lend themselves to auto boxes over manuals, however with a 4 pot I would probably go manual to wring the power out of the smaller engine.

As for daily driver it's the same for any car over 20 years old, do everything you can to protect it from the elements, especially in winter when the salt is down. E30 cabs are amazing cars, worth the effort, but purely down to age they take looking after.

[daboy3000]

I went for a 318i as I thought it would be cheaper to run but mostly cheaper to repair and I don't need much power, it's a B road car, driving under the canopy of trees in the sunshine. If I want some power i'll use my 330.

[bimanut]

I loved my little m40 cab it was a great car in the summer and not as bad as I thought in the winter but I had a hard top for that to keep warm.I had it for over 4years and used it as a daily but if I had the choice again would I use one as a daily? The answer would be no.
They are too nice a car to rag round in daily traffic getting covered in grime and slowly fkn your roof up.
If I had another one it would be as a toy